Taking its name from the one-armed god of war in Norse mythology, Norway's Tyr embraces Viking metal — but in a way that sets this gang-singing quartet apart from many of its warrior peers. Seeking to enlighten as much as entertain, Land (Tyr's third album) offers a combination of English and traditional Faroese lyrics. The folk-like opener "Gandkvaedi Tróndar," for example, is a poem about a Faroese chieftain who fought for independence. Who cares if non-Faroese-speaking headbangers can't understand it?

Land is punctuated by the 10-minute "Brennivín" and the searing 16-minute title track — one of three English titles on this 10-song disc. But not every one of them is a gung-ho tune ideal for hoisting a glass of cold, frothy brew and then chugging it. "Valkyrjan" mellows listeners with simple but appealing keyboard and acoustic guitar structures, while "Sinklars Vísa" — a traditional Norwegian song based on the true story of Scottish mercenaries killed when trying to disturb the peace in Norway — boasts an arresting a cappella intro that will blow your mind. When was the last time a Viking-metal band did that?

Tyr: LandPosted by Seggur í Oyđinihřll on 2008-09-30 09:04:05My Score: This is a very good album indeed, no doubt about that.
Just a few comments about the review above.

Týr are not from Norway. They are from the Faeroes.
Týr do not use keyboards on this album, and they never have.
'Land' is Týr's fourth full length release, not third.
The 10 minute track is not 'Brennivín', but 'Ocean'.

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